Codes of Conduct

Youth (and adult) sports are supposed to be fun.

We value good sportsmanship, and we expect all players, coaches, volunteers, parents & spectators to conduct themselves with respect and civility at all times. We expect the following from everyone involved with South Pittsburgh Ball Hockey programs:

Player Expectations  

Do your best to keep a positive attitude
Respect your coaches, teammates, parents, and opponents
Respect officials and accept their decisions without argument
Only give positive encouragement to fellow teammates
Notify the coaches immediately of any injuries or discomfort
Learn and follow the rules of the game to the best of your ability
Notify the coaches if you will be tardy or unable to attend practice or game

Further you will never:

Use profane or vulgar language
Leave the field or a session without the permission of the coaches
Disrespect , harass, or strike a teammate, coach, referee, or spectator

I understand that players who willfully or continually violate the rules of play may put other's safety at risk and these individuals are subject to suspension or expulsion at the sole discretion of the board of South Pittsburgh Ball Hockey with no fees refunded.

We are here to promote healthy and active youth athletics as the kids learn skills that will help them be successful adults. It is therefore essential for parents, coaches and youth athletes to embrace the values of good sportsmanship. Adults should lead by example in this!

Expectations for Parents, Spectators, Volunteers, and Players:

Remember that children participate to have fun and that these games are for youth athletes, not adults.
Learn the rules of the dek hockey and the policies of the league, and respect them.
Teach your child to play by the rules and to resolve conflict without resorting to hostility or violence.
Be a positive role model for your child and encourage sportsmanship by showing respect and show good manners. Show positive support for all athletes, coaches, officials, and fans while attending games and practices.
Do not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, players, or parent such as booing and taunting, or using profane language or gestures.
Demand that your child treat other players, coaches, officials, and spectators with respect regardless of race, creed, color, sex, or ability.
Teach your child that doing one’s best is more important than winning, so that they will never feel defeated by the outcome of a game or his/her performance.
Applaud your child for competing fairly and trying hard, and make them feel like a winner every time.
Never scold or yell at your child or other participants for making mistakes.
Promote the emotional and physical well-being of the athletes ahead of any personal desire you may have for your child to win.
Acknowledge that no child playing in these games will be rewarded or lose a college scholarship based on today's play. Treat these games as such since they are just GAMES.
Respect the officials and their authority during games.
In the event of a disagreement, you shall not question, discuss or confront coaches at the dek following games or practices, and you must take time to speak with coaches at an agreed upon time and place if you have a disagreement. We all acknowledge that we can disagree but must still still treat the coach with respect.
Refrain from coaching your child or other players during games and practices unless you are one of the official coaches of the team.
Refrain from smoking or vaping at all events.

Anyone not abiding by this code of conduct will be required to leave the playing area.

Ball Hockey Rules

South Pittsburgh Ball Hockey follows USA Ball Hockey rules which can be found at USA Ball Hockey Rule Book.

SPBH Overtime Procedures in the event of a tie at the end of regulation play:

REGULAR SEASON GAMES & PLAYOFF GAMES: 3v3 for one 5-minute period with running clock. Game ends as soon as a team scores (a.k.a. "sudden death"). If still tied after 5-minutes, proceed to a 3-player per team shootout. If still tied, shootout continues 1-player per team until somebody wins.

FINALS (CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES GAMES): Overtime periods will be 5:00 running clock, and game will end as soon as a team scores (a.k.a. "sudden death"). First OT is 5v5, second OT is 4v4, and each OT after is 3v3 till somebody scores.

Weather Policy

With many factors such as precipitation, weather, air quality, and more at play when determining the status of a SPBH - McBride Dek Hockey, we will strive to adhere to the following guidelines when cancelling games:

- Safety of the kids. If at any time before or during gameplay, if the surface of the dek becomes too slick to continue safely, the games/practices will be cancelled.

- Severe weather. When current or forecasted weather calls for severe weather conditions, such as thunderstorms, extreme temperatures, etc, the games/practices will be cancelled. *Please note that games/practices will be played as scheduled in light to moderate precipitation while following safety guidelines.

- Wind Chills and Heat Advisories. When the temperatures reach or fall to a certain degree that is deemed to be unsafe for extended outdoor participation, the games/practices will be cancelled.

- Communication. When games/practices are cancelled, the SPBH will notify parents and guardians via Team Snap ASAP of the night's cancellations.

SPBH reserves the right to cancel games/practices in agreement with the coaches. Make up games or practices will be determined based on dek availability.

Additional points of emphasis regarding safety and conduct:

We do not expect any of the following issues in our youth league, but we must put the following points in writing.

Foul Language (Swearing) will not be tolerated at any time, any level, for any reason if it’s directed at players, refs, fans or coach! A (1) minute unsportsmanlike penalty will be given out – all the time. No exceptions! If the swearing continues, a 2nd (1) minute unsportsmanlike penalty will be given followed by a game misconduct (ejection) then a suspension. Thanks for understanding.

Slamming sticks on any surface (i.e. on surface, boards, nets, glass, fence, etc. or anywhere else) is as follows: Any player who slams a stick on any surface will be assessed a (1) minute unsportsmanlike penalty. If any surface is damaged, player’s parents will be responsible for paying for the replacement. NOTE: Said player will not play another game until the cost of the repair is paid.

Fighting is not permitted at any time at SPBH events and a single punch is considered fighting. There will be zero tolerance on this matter. Player(s) fighting will receive a major penalty, game misconduct and up to a 1-year suspension. (Those protecting themselves from fighting will be disciplined on a case by case matter thru the BOD and Referees.)

Checking – Major penalties + roughing/intentional stick related incident will result in a 3-game suspension (or more). This will be determined after review by the BOD and referees.

Stopping/Cancelling Game in progress – Referees have the authority to halt play at any time once the game is underway and award a win to either team regardless of the score. This will be done if it is determined that either team is being disruptive or dangerous to the orderly course of the game.

Codes of Conduct

Ball Hockey Rules

Weather Policy

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